Symptoms of a Drug Prescription
Drug Prescriptions
Another Look at Prescription Drugs for Mental Health
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ August 29, 2024
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Mom’s eyes.
My daughter, Nikki, took her last prescription drug for her mental health on May 6, 2017.
It took about a year to slowly tamper off all the drugs, and an additional year after the last pill to actually have some relief from the withdrawal process.
Withdrawing from all the medications she was prescribed wasn’t easy. Witnessing firsthand Nikki’s withdrawal, I would describe her symptoms similar to an addict withdrawing from street drugs — tremors, hallucinations, confusion, severe body pain and much more.
The most vivid time I remember is when she sat rocking in my chair, staring at a picture of a horse hanging on the wall in front of her while clinging to a stuffed animal. Looking at her from a safe distance, I truly believed I may have lost my daughter.
Seven years have gone by, and my daughter still experiences long term negative symptoms of the drugs.
Symptoms, unfortunately, health care providers still don’t acknowledge.
Gaining awareness through our journey with prescription drugs
During the seven years my daughter was treated with mental health prescription drugs, she had severe side effects which included worsen depression, nauseousness, throat closing, extreme negative thoughts, hallucinations, confusion, memory loss, and unhealthy weight gain. All of which are listed on the medication guide.
And still, no health care provider suggested she may be on the wrong treatment program.
As years went by, the health care provided at the time insisted she needed medication, and never recognized these medications were doing her more harm than good.
Soon after withdrawing from the prescribed medications, my daughter Nikki, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and advised to have her thyroid ablated.
Unfortunately, it took years later, for a professional to diagnosis and acknowledge her chemical sensitivities and advise a diet consisting of gluten free and organic foods. Nikki was advised to limit preservatives not only in foods but products as well.
Fortunately, not everyone will experience the negative effects my daughter had while being treated with prescription drugs.
However, the key to any successful treatment plan is awareness and knowledge.
Here are some simple steps you should take before starting any treatment plan, prescription or otherwise.
First, make sure you have all the necessary testing done before entering into a treatment program, especially a thyroid blood test.
Second, determine that your diagnosis is accurate.
Third, research treatment plan options, such as talk therapy, self-care, DBT, CBT, etc.
Fourth, know that everyone is different and there is no one plan for everyone.
Fifth, and most importantly, realize there is no simple fix for your mental health.
Learn to always question
- Do you feel sick when eating certain foods or even drinking bottle water (which contains preservatives)?
- Does perfume smells give you a headache or create negative thoughts?
- When applying lotions or creams, do you feel agitated?
- How do you feel when taking medications — depressed or angry?
Many times negative symptoms happen that may not be obvious or even acknowledged by your health care provider.
Learn to analyze the way your body reacts to certain medications, foods and products.
“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than mere survival.”
-Aristotle –
Related Posts
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How Self-Care Can Help Your Mental Health
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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